Assessing the Experience of Awe: Validating the Situational Awe Scale

Awe is an overwhelming feeling of admiration sometimes mixed with wonder or fear. Inspired by a cross-disciplinary review of perspectives on awe, we constructed a new measure that would reflect all of these perspectives. In this dissertation, I introduce the Situational Awe Scale (SAS) and report a set of studies designed to validate the measure. An exploratory factor analysis in Study 1 suggested a four-factor structure (i.e., liberation/connection, oppression/isolation, chills, and small-self/vast-world); the study also provided initial evidence of the measure’s convergent and criterion validity. Study 2 provided evidence for the structural validity of the SAS, by confirming the factor structure uncovered in Study 1, and replicated the convergent and criterion validity evidence. Study 3 established that the SAS truly assesses situational awe by demonstrating that SAS scores varied in response to situations that elicit more versus less awe; Study 3 also provided evidence that the SAS possesses discriminant validity. Study 4 extended the construct (structural, convergent, criterion, and discriminant) validity of the SAS to a field setting (Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago). Study 5 again provided evidence for the convergent, criterion, and discriminant validity of the SAS. Studies 4–5 also attempted to investigate the role of prior knowledge in the experience of awe, with mixed results. Across five studies, we constructed and validated the SAS, and began to explore its relationship with knowledge. The research reported in this dissertation supports the construct validity of the SAS and lays the groundwork for fruitful future investigation into the determinants and outcomes of awe

A case study exploring the application of the Occupation-based Community Development Framework: co-constructing humanising praxis

The Occupation-based Community Development (ObCD) framework draws on critical occupational science concepts in working with marginalized communities to bring about transformative change (Galvaan & Peters, 2017a). However, little research has been conducted on this to date, specifically within community development practice (CDP) and in the Global South. This study asked the question: “How does the application of an occupational perspective and participatory action methods influence the processes within ObCD?” A qualitative research design employing an instrumental single case study was conducted. The case was bounded within the University of Cape Town’s final year Occupational Therapy student service-learning placements during the period of 2014 to 2016, in South Africa. Participants were purposively selected and included occupational therapy clinical educators and recent occupational therapy graduates who had applied the ObCD framework during their CDP placements. Data was generated through a focus group; individual semi-structured interviews and analysis of graduates’ written reports. A thematic analysis revealed the case to be that of co-constructing humanising praxis, describing the evolving thinking and doing of practice. Three themes, namely: 1) Processes of dialogue and doing; 2) Situating occupational perspectives in socio-political and historicised contexts; and 3) Negotiating positionalities, offer detailed descriptions of the elements to consider in engaging and developing this form of praxis. The discussion illustrates how praxis resonates with the values of critical and social occupational therapy in working towards promoting occupational justice. Thereby, proposing that occupational justice implies engaging in humanising praxis, through a co-constructed journey with stakeholders. The suggestion made is that praxis guided by the ObCD Framework promotes occupational justice. Shifts in terminology and concepts, that could depict the values in ObCD more explicitly are suggested. Finally, praxis as a potential avenue for decolonising domains of occupational therapy practice is identified. Recommendations relating to occupational therapy curricula, services and research are offered

MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AND LEASE ARRANGEMENTS USED BY OKLAHOMA WHEAT, WHEAT PASTURE, AND WHEAT PASTURE LIVESTOCK PRODUCERS

Winter wheat is grown for three purposes in the Southern Plains, grain-only, forage-only, and as a dual-purpose forage plus grain crop. The USDA's wheat cropping practices survey does not differentiate among the three uses. Little information on actual production practices across use is available. Results of a survey are presented.Crop Production/Industries,

Ethical Challenges and Solutions Involved in Reviewing a Protocol with Sex Offenders as Participants: The Concerns and Solutions Identified for Protecting a Highly Controversial Population

In reviewing research, the three basic tenets IRBs are expected to abide by are beneficence, justice and respect for persons. The IRB was challenged in meeting these tenets during the course of a recent review. Given the highly controversial participant population of sex offenders and the methodology initially proposed, there were a multitude of ethical challenges uncovered that required unique solutions. The protocol presented to the IRB was developed to investigate the use of networked technologies and communications for the purpose of human trafficking. To do so the researchers proposed recruiting “Johns” or individuals convicted of soliciting sex and interviewing them to discover how they use the internet and networked technologies to find victims online. Ultimately, the research intends to provide technology-based tools for combatting trafficking of minors. So the question for the IRB was how to go about protecting “Johns” while protecting the potential victims and meet the criteria for approval

A high resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy study of the Fermi resonance of CO₂ adsorbed on a Ag(110)/CO₃ layer

The adsorption of CO2 on a Ag(110) surface precovered with a saturated CO3 layer has been studied by high resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy (HREELS). A weakly bound state of CO2 is stabilized by the presence of carbonate. In addition to the losses of the bend (658 cm−1) and the antisymmetric stretch (2343 cm−1) fundamental modes, the presence of two peaks in the frequency region of the symmetric stretch mode have been observed. Such a loss pair is characteristic for the existence of a Fermi resonance, between the overtone of the bend and the symmetric stretch vibration, which had been studied in detail for the gas phase CO2 molecule. By use of three CO2 isotopomers the existence of the Fermi resonance in the adsorbed state has been verified and the Fermi constant and the energy of the unperturbed vibrations have been determined from the isotopic shifts. The character of the CO2 molecule is almost unaffected by the bonding and it adsorbs in a tilted geometry

Simulating mixing processes with water addition using DEM – from bulk material to suspension

This paper introduces a model in the Discrete Element Method to simulate the mixing processes of dry materials with major water addition more realistically. The presented model covers the representation of liquid transfer from fluid particles or moist particles to dryer ones including increase in volume. Depending on the moisture content of the particles in contact, the adequate interaction model (friction, liquid bridge or suspension) and its parameters are applied

Augmented Intelligence for Quality Control of Manual Assembly Processes using Industrial Wearable Systems

Empowered by machine learning and artificial intelligence innovations, IoT devices have become a leading driver of digital transformation. A promising approach are augmented intelligence solutions which seek to enhance human performance in complex tasks. However, there are no turn-key solutions for developing and implementing such systems. One possible avenue is to complement multi-purpose hardware with flexible AI solutions which are adapted to a given task. We illustrate the bottom-up development of a machine learning backend for an augmented intelligence system in the manufacturing sector. A wearable device equipped with highly sensitive sensors is paired with a deep convolutional neural network to monitor connector systems assembly processes in real-time. Our initial study yields promising results in an experimental environment. While this establishes the feasibility of the suggested approach, further evaluations in more complex test cases and ultimately, in a real-world assembly process have to be performed

Creating a Culture of Compliance with Integrity: It Takes More Than Solid Procedures and a Snazzy Submission System

Creating a Culture of Compliance with Integrity: It Takes More Than Solid Policies and a Snazzy Submission System (1) Problem Statement IRB Offices can often have contentious relationships with researchers, and building a culture of compliance with integrity as well as a level of mutual trust and respect, can often be a very overwhelming task. Solid policies and procedures and a user-friendly electronic submission system are now best practices for streamlining IRB operations. However, our ongoing goal is to find novel approaches to outreach and education, subsequently allowing us to build that mutual understanding of purpose and collaboration. (2) Program Description We have implemented multiple modalities. Some of the outreach examples below are novel while others are modified best practices. Creating unique infographics to communicate our policies. Our office uses an infographic software to elevate lackluster emails with copious text into visually pleasing, eye-catching educational material. For example: https://www.montclair.edu/provost/institutional-review-board/cayuse/submission/submissionflow/ Offering your community IRB swag in a cost effective way. Our office creates magnets in-house that have become ubiquitous on filing cabinets. They simply state “I Support Research at University X.” They are extremely popular and several hundred have been distributed at events. Attending students’ research events and making them feel appreciated. We set up a table and create a large poster congratulating students and their faculty mentors for obtaining IRB approval. Many of our student researchers are new researchers and that extra appreciation is well received. Attending all New Faculty Orientations with a smile. This is where you capture the new faculty at a time when they are most willing to learn about how to best go about their research. Many new faculty contact us immediately after the event. Offering workshops (N=19 for FY16) and guest lecturing as often as possible. Post workshop surveys show 92% of participants felt better prepared to submit to the IRB afterwards. When we guest lecture (N=18 for FY16) not only do our students learn about compliance but our faculty can be reminded of existing and new policies. Offering online learning modules that can be integrated into a faculty member’s course. Nearly every discipline at our University offers a Research Methods course. We built recorded lectures, materials, and a quiz that can be imported into our Learning Management System. (3) Future program usage These program activities can be brought into effect at any IRB or HRP. There is no doubt that resources are slim here and elsewhere; however we know these approaches have built rapport and reputation over the last few years

Arbeitslosigkeit: Beitrag zu einer subjektorientierten Forschung

Gegenstand dieses Beitrages ist der Versuch einer Annäherung an das Thema Arbeitslosigkeit aus subjektwissenschaftlicher Perspektive. Der theoretische Hintergrund dieses Ansatzes orientiert sich an dem Konzept der 'subjektiven Handlungsgründe' aus der 'Grundlegung der Psychologie' von Klaus Holzkamp. Am Beispiel der Interpretation einer Interviewpassage wird der Ansat eine Subjektiven Theorie expliziert in Auseinandersetzung mit dem gleichnahmigen Modemm von Groebe, Scheele u.a. Diese subjektspezifische Arbeitslosenforschung versucht vom Standpunkt des betroffenen Individuums zu begreifen, wie der je einzelne die Arbeitslosigkeit wahrnimmt, welche Probleme und Handlungsmöglichkeiten er sieht und realisiert, wie er sich emotional mit seiner Situation auseinandersetzt usw. Der Beitrag versucht die heuristische Fruchtbarkeit dieses Ansatzes exemplarisch aufzuweisen. (GF2